Max About Town

We all know that here in Northern Colorado, the temperature drops as the leaves begin to fall, and we trade in our flip flops and t-shirts for boots and jackets. In the summers, we all know it’s about a beer cooler out in the backyard with ice cold refreshing drinks to cool down on a beautiful Colorado summer day. In the winter, a cold beer just doesn’t cut it, and we look towards drinks that warm us from the inside out.
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Here at Mulberry MAX Liquor Store, we understand this, which is why we are committed to having the widest selection of liquor in Fort Collins for those warm winter drinks. Here are a few liquors/liqueurs that go great for Colorado winters on the back porch with a fire pit and a good group of friends!

Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream

​We all know that Bailey’s is a classic warm-drink mixer, but add that extra touch of fall with the Pumpkin Spice variety of Bailey’s Irish Cream. It goes well with almost any warm beverage, but particularly well with coffee, cocoa, and chai. Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream is a great way to sweeten any drink at a winter or fall holiday party, or even just for a cozy night in!

Captain Morgan Jack-O-Blast Spiced Pumpkin Rum

This all-time favorite rum takes a twist for the fall with a pumpkin flavor that is sure to mix well with any drink. Try mixing with any standard warm drink like coffee, chai, or cocoa. Want to try something completely off-the-wall? Mix in a little Captain Morgan Jack-O-Blast into a pumpkin pie recipe for a spiked pie that is sweet and delicious!

Great Lakes Pumpkin Whiskey

Yes, that’s right. Even whiskey comes in a pumpkin version. Great Lakes Distillery delivers this pumpkin whiskey that is simply divine, and works great when mixed with hot cider or just a plain old-fashioned. This whiskey has a hint of pumpkin, malty, with a spiced nutmeg and cinnamon flavor. It is the perfect way to end the day on a cold Colorado night!

​Stop by Mulberry MAX Liquor Store in Fort Collins to check out our full inventory of pumpkin liquor and liqueurs. Ask one of our staff members if there is anything new or if you are looking for a good recipe for a winter or fall themed drink!

One of the most rewarding things for any beer lover is to successfully create your own homebrew. There’s just nothing quite like knowing that the beer you are drinking was created by you. Once you really get into homebrewing, you are able to use different ingredients or different brewing techniques to get new flavors. And who knows? You may even eventually get to start your own brewery.

But we’re going to back up here a bit, because you’re wondering how to get started. Well Mulberry MAX Liquor Store is here to help, as we have a full service homebrew shop right in our store that is stocked with everything you need to get started.
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Follow these simple tips and you’ll be started on your first homebrew in no time!

Use a Starter Kit

​While you can jump right in and assemble your own homebrew from scratch, for your first brew, it’s always a good idea to learn the ropes by purchasing a starter kit which has all of the essential ingredients to create a successful brew. While you will eventually learn to modify your brew and get your own flavor, it’s always a good idea to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. Mulberry MAX Liquor Store has different starter ingredients and kits for you to pick up the trade right away.

Do Your Research

​Yes, even if you are using a kit, nothing can replace a little bit of elbow grease in the research department. This means read a brewing book, read online articles and advice, watch YouTube videos, and do whatever it takes to make sure that you know what your process should look like before you even touch a carboy. If you do this, you’ll find that you will breeze right through the brewing process instead of fumbling around and guessing.

Plan for Cost

​Homebrewing is NOT cheap. A lot of people think they just need a kit and they are off to the races. Well, slow your roll homebrew champion, because you may need equipment like kettles, carboys, siphon, hydrometer, bottles, buckets, caps, sanitization formula, and more. Plan on a larger initial cost of between $100 and $200 dollars to get up and running. The good news is that once you have the equipment, you only need ingredients for future batches!

Keep a Detailed Brew Log

​One good reason for this is so that if you create a unique flavor that you like, you will be able to replicate it. A detailed brew log should not only include the ingredients used and a recipe for adding them, but should include temperatures at every step, and time for different steps. You can find examples of good brew logs online. Keeping a thorough log is a good habit to get into early, so when your process is refined, you are able to replicate your work.

Get Feedback

​One of the great joys of homebrewing is being able to share your creation with family and friends. Don’t be shy about your homebrew creations, and get feedback from others to hone your craft. You WILL create a skunky beer. You WILL create a great beer. All criticism is good when you are searching for that perfect flavor!